Mind Shattering! I felt completely transported into Tolkien's world, and I have never forgotten the emotion that The Lord of the Rings brought to me. It was a huge Cathartic process; a build up which climaxed at the ring's destruction and was beautifully finished with the Grey Havens chapter.

Favorite Tolkien character:

Strangely enough it has to be The Blue Wizards, Alatar and Pallando / Morinehtar and Romestamo.
They are a complete enigma, and I just know that Tolkien had something in store concerning them, and one of these days I feel compelled to write some fan fiction surrounding their existence!
In terms of a conventional character it has to be Bilbo I think. He just is such a pure hearted and wise person, who speaks to me in many ways.